In the Chandler v. Florida case of 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could allow cameras in courtrooms during criminal trials without violating a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. The case involved two Miami Beach police officers who were charged with burglary and grand larceny, and their trial was broadcasted on television against their wishes. They appealed their convictions arguing that the presence of cameras had infringed upon their rights to due process under both state law and the Fourteenth Amendment as well as prejudiced jurors against them. However, in its decision, the Supreme Court held that while it is possible for media coverage to infringe upon these rights in certain circumstances, there was no constitutional ban on such coverage outrightly or any evidence showing prejudice towards defendants because of televised proceedings specifically.

In the dissenting opinion for Chandler et al. v. Florida, Justice Brennan argued that allowing cameras in courtrooms could potentially compromise a defendant's right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment. He expressed concern about how media coverage might influence jurors and witnesses, as well as create distractions during proceedings. Furthermore, he believed that televised trials would turn serious legal matters into entertainment spectacles which could undermine public respect for the judicial process. Despite acknowledging potential benefits of increased transparency and public access to trials, Justice Brennan maintained that these did not outweigh potential risks to defendants' rights or overall courtroom decorum.